On Second Thought

 

On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Modern Fiction Physical Book
I really enjoyed this book and will look for others by this author.


View all my reviews

Books for Uzbekistan Schools

A friend of mine (we've sung in Keynotes together for 35 years) is serving a mission with her husband in Uzbekistan.  They are the first missionaries ever in that country.  They both teach English in public schools.  They saw a great need for children's books in English.  There is no mail system, so they couldn't have them sent.  Their daughter (who is now singing in Keynotes) went to visit them there.  She sent out a plea for children's books.  She created an Amazon wish list, asking for book donations.  Many, many, many books were contributed. She and her sons took suitcases full of children's books to donate to the schools.  

 I love this picture- especially since the woman is holding one of the books I donated.  

Do Hard Things on Purpose

 

When I read this I thought it was a good idea.  But when I started to try to apply it, I realized that, at this age, much of what I do every day is hard.  Some of it very hard.  So I don't need to take a cold shower or go on a long run to do something hard.  But I do appreciate what this is teaching.  We can make ourselves stronger by doing hard stuff.  Okay, okay.

Today I Met the Good Morning Guy

 

Ken goes on a 4-5 mile walk every morning except Sunday. He uses our wonderful trail system.  He is friendly.  He always says good morning to everyone he passes- some walking, some running, some riding bikes.  He often sees the same people day after day.  They are also victims of positive habits.  

He often sees the same lady on her bicycle as she speeds by on her way to work.  A couple of weeks ago, she stopped her bike to talk to him.  He found out she is a local doctor and rides her bike quite a distance to work each day.  She also coaches a mountain bike team at a local high school.  For several years, Ken passed and greeted a young girl who rode her bike to school every single day- rain or shine.  Somehow, he found out her name and would greet her by name. She would never respond to him (probably thought he was a creepy, old guy!) but she knew him.  Turns out, this Dr. was her high school biking coach.  She went on to ride for Utah State University's mountain biking team, taking many medals.  She and her coach had talked about Ken and labeled him "The Good Morning Guy."

So, Ken has a new handle.  Feel free to use it on him!

Ken found his new friend on Strava and saw this post.  I asked him to copy it so I could share it here:

It's kind of fun to be married to the Good Morning Guy!

Your Dad was My Doctor

 I work at the temple with a sister a few years older than me on our Friday shift every other week. There are three of us that work together on that shift.  As we have had time to visit, we discovered we are both from Treasure Valley in Idaho.  I am from Caldwell and she is from Parma, about 20 minutes away.  We both married Hurricane boys that we met at BYU.  In both cases, our spouses were our family home evening brothers at BYU.  We have a lot in common.  I truly love this dear sister.  She has come to be a good friend.

One day she asked me my maiden name.  Then she asked me what my father did.  I told her he was a doctor in Caldwell.  Dr. Gabrielsen. "Your dad was my doctor!"  What?  When she was in high school, my father was her doctor.  She described what he looked like to me and said he was very nice.  What a sweet miracle!  Even as I type this I get tears in my eyes.  She knew my Daddy!  This is such a sweet connection.  I just had to share!

Gratitude

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lerleen Lund, One of My Heroes, Passes Away

 I have loved this dear sister for many years.  We knew each other when we lived in Washington, but really got to know each other when we both moved into our current ward, many years ago.  I served as her visiting teacher for a long time two different times.  She truly was one of my heroes.  She was so intelligent, an avid reader, and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  I loved going into her home and feeling the spirit there.  I will miss her.

St. George, Utah - Lerleen Cluff Lund, 87, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Friday, November 7, 2025. She was born in Pinedale, Arizona to George and Clara Cluff on October 8, 1938. She graduated High School in Panaca, Nevada and later moved to St. George, Utah. 

            Lerleen worked as a professional secretary at a law firm and later became a dental assistant. During this time, she was also a scribe to her Stake Patriarch. She was later offered a job as a typist in the St. George LDS Temple where she met and married her “Prince Charming”, Lamar I. Lund. They shared a beautiful and exciting life together, raising nine children.

            Lerleen was a voracious reader, a beautiful pianist, and an unbeatable homemaker. She was also a valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many leadership positions. She loved her Savior and lived a Christ centered life.

            Lerleen loved and accepted everyone that crossed her path in a loving and charitable way. She had an incredible talent to see every human being as a child of God, and they could feel that. Everyone in her family, grandkids included, felt they were her favorite. 

            Lerleen is survived by her children: Larene Reynolds, Tom (Tiffany) Lund, Bruce (Wende) Lund, Marvelee (Brad) Lund-Fuller, Julie (Russ) Hulme, Christina (Kevin) Fitzpatrick, Mark (Shantelle) Lund, and Justin (Kim) Lund; 30 grandkids; and 18 great-grandkids, with one on the way.

            She is preceded in death by her husband Lamar I Lund; parents, George and Clara Cluff; brothers: Vance, Clarence, Leroy, Ira and Gerald; sisters: Vella, Deveen and Delsa; and son, Jared Lund.

            Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Bloomington Hills Chapel, 750 East Ft. Pierce Drive North, St. George, Utah 84790. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery located at 650 East Tabernacle Street.

I was honored to lead the singing at her funeral.

Sharon Moss Passes Away

A sweet young mother in our ward recently passed away from a brain aneurism.  She has four children, all of whom are still in Primary.  I really didn't know her well, but I worked with her children and accompanied them to sing for stake conference and got to know her then.  

Her funeral was held at the stake center and many people came to pay tribute to this kind woman.

Our ward and many others have poured out love in so many ways: decorated the streets with purple ribbons and their home, much money donated, many gifts, house cleaning, freezer meals donated, and countless other services.  Prayers for her husband and children in the coming days, months, and years.

Top 50 Favorite Books

 I recently developed a desire to create a list of my all-time favorite books.  I have been a reader all of my life, so that is quite a challenge.  But I created a list on my phone and add books as I think of them.  I started out wanting to narrow it to my top 10, but it seemed impossible.  Just impossible. So here are my top 50. I am constantly adding to the list.   If I wait until my list is "complete," I will never publish it.  I will publish this list of 50 now and maybe do it again when I have a top 100 favorite books. That won't take long!

* I decided I was being ever so wimpy to not give a top ten.  I have sweated bullets over this, but I put an * by the ones that I say are my top ten.  If I did this tomorrow, I make put an * by different ones.  But * these are my top ten today.  

They are in no particular order:

*The Book of Mormon

*Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

*Anne of Green Gables series by LM Montgomery

*Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wiler

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawles

*A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

*Winnie the Pooh by A A Milne

Surprised by Joy by C S Lewis

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurie

*Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Christy by Catherine Marshall

Julie by Catherine Marshall

Follow the River by James Alexander Thorn

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman

*The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Two Old Women by Velma Walls

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Charlotte's Webb by EB White

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The Help by Katherine Stockett

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Jesus the Christ by James Talmage

Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner

The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

Preach My Gospel

Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Educated by Tara Westover

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Hazel Gaynor

Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata

A Girl from Yamhill by Beverly Cleary

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

*The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede

The Last Mile Home by Di Morrissey

The Incredible Winston Browne by Sean Dietrich

You Are My Sunshine by Sean Dietrich

September by Rosamonde Pilcher

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

*The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

My View Every Morning

 This is my view every morning.  Ken has a daily exercise routine that rarely varies: 20-22 push ups, 30 sit ups, and a 4-5 mile walk every morning except Sunday. One day a week he walks with his brothers Mark and Don.  On another day he walks with his friend, Greg.  The other days he goes alone.  He also rides his bike 2 or 3 times a week, riding 24-26 miles each ride.  I sit there and watch and give an occasional hurrah or good job.  

Hurrah!

Good job!

The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ

 

Religious  Physical Book

November, 2025  I read from this book every day and will continue to do so all of my life.  I am grateful for the influence and guidance it gives.  It teaches and testifies of Jesus Christ on most every page. 

Elder Mackrory's 1'st Baptism

 Our Nathan has been in the mission field for about six weeks.  He and his companion just had Nathan's first baptism.  What a sweet day!  Another baptism is scheduled soon.  

My Phone's Wallpaper is Better Than Yours!

 

Such an amazing shot!  I had to use it for my phone's wallpaper.

Go Cougars!

Jaw Surgery Again!

 Shonna had major jaw surgery last year.  Both jaws were broken and realigned.  When she went back for her one-year follow up appointment, it was determined that she would need to have another surgery as things had not healed properly.  You can imagine how devastating that was for her.  But she bravely went forth and had it done.  It was nowhere near as intense this time.  She is healing well.  And even smiling!

We love you Shonna!!!!!💓

Kinfolk

 

Fiction  Physical book

I love this author. In this book we meet Nub- a scoundrel with a huge heart.  We meet a lot of wonderful characters and, despite their flaws, love them all.  I am a Sean Dietrich fan.  His ability to turn a phrase just keeps you smiling throughout his books.  He is a master at characterization.  Ya, I’m a fan.  5 stars from me.

Worth a Thousand Words . . .

 ... Some pictures just are.

One True Loves

 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Romance Audiobook
Are you Team Jesse or Team Sam? As I was reading, I literally looked for a place to vote online. I had a definite preference and wanted to voice my opinion.
The plot was simple: Emma is happily married to her high school sweetheart. He is killed on their 1st anniversary. She mourns. Then she dates another high school friend and falls in love with him. They get engaged. Then Jesse reappears. He wasn’t dead after all. She must choose between them. So are you team Jesse (husband) or team Sam ( fiance’) I won’t tell you which team I am on or who she chooses. That would be a spoiler.
Some of this author’s books are too much for me, but I liked this one. 4 stars.


View all my reviews

We Want Grass

 For years, the neighbor children have gathered and played in our yard.  We enjoy hearing their cheerful voices and having them in our yard.  On Sunday, before sacrament meeting, Ken talked to one of the moms and told her that the hill in our front yard is too steep and he is getting old enough that it is dangerous to mow the grass, so we are getting bids to have it xeriscaped.  Her two daughters that play here frequently overheard the conversation.  Though they said nothing at the time, they must have talked to the other children and they decided to do something about it. We have choir rehearsal for twenty minutes after church.  During that short time they hurried home and put together a peaceful protest, complete with song, dance and even a smoke machine.  When we got home, they rang the doorbell.  When we got there, they turned on the smoke machine and the oldest started playing the guitar and they sang, to the tune of Silent Night, "We want grass, we want grass . . .  "They had made up words and choreographed the whole song.  It was so cute.  

They gave us this note, promising they will mow it.

We were so touched.  Oh they are cute!  But I think we will go forward with our plans.  Though they will be disappointed, we have noticed a change recently.  For years, they have played vigorous games of some sort of made-up tag.  I'm not sure I understand all the rules.  It's quite complicated.  But recently we have noticed that they gather to chat more.  They are growing up.  They just sit in the chairs we have out front and talk.  So maybe they won't even miss the grass that much?  We hate to disappoint them but needs must.

Try a Little Kindness

 I saw this story on Facebook and wanted to share it.  A couple went out to dinner at a local diner.  The service was incredibly slow.  Looking around, they realized that there was just one server serving the entire diner.  He was doing the best he could, but they were seriously understaffed.  Instead of getting angry (as many of the other customers were,) they left a very generous tip and a note of encouragement and understanding.  Life is hard.  Let's be kind to one another.

The Book Thief

 It was a wonderful book and also a well-done movie.  We watched it on BYUtv.  

My Idea of Fun

 

Halloween

 I love Halloween.  Kids love it.  I love that it's a day to celebrate children.  Every year, my kids send pictures of their Halloween.  It is a highlight of the year for me.  We also love having the neighborhood come to our house to trick-or-treat.  But this year, we were serving in the temple on Friday afternoon/evening.  We did our shift from 2-5, then stayed after to be patrons so that a couple could do their names.  The temple was VERY quiet that night.  We were extremely busy in sealings from 2-5, but then, it just died.  Everyone was celebrating with their families, I guess.  

Here are pictures of our family.

Kristen's family always chooses a theme.  This year, they all were something that is very classic Halloween.

Sammy was a Jack-o-Lantern.

Lisi was a candy corn

Kristen was a scarecrow

Audrey was a witch

Shonna's family:

Lily was queen of the world

Hannah was a gluten free cookie

Luna was a snowman

They all made quite a haul!

Michelle's family:

Love this one

Kenny was a nod to the banana chicken dance (google it)

I love this dual picture of then and now.  The then was 11 years ago- the day after Kenny was born.  If I remember right, I think we got them ready and took this picture as Mom and Dad were in the hospital.

Halloween AI of Michelle and Brian

Prince family: William and Kenny were glowstick men, the rest were Costco employees.

Their Costco sample was hot chocolate in their front driveway.

Happy Halloween!!!

The Summer of Yes

 

Romance Physical book

A fun novel with an inspiring theme: Say yes!  It was chosen for our online family book club and I’m sure will generate a good discussion.  I liked the characters and the story.  3+stars.

Read the Manual

 While we were there with Shonna and Blake on conference weekend, they discovered that their fridge/ freezer in their kitchen wasn't working.  They have two freezers downstairs.  They immediately started taking freezer items down there.  Blake ran to the store and bought ice and they put fridge items in coolers.  They also have a trailer camper and fired their fridge out there up and put items out in that small fridge/freezer.  

They lived out of these coolers on their patio for 3 weeks!

Shonna had us rolling with laughter when she told us the story.  They went to the store and bought a new fridge on Monday after conference.  It was delivered on Friday by two Latino men who spoke very little English.  They installed it.  They obviously saw something was wrong because they kept pulling it out and in.  When they finished, they took a picture (as I'm sure they are instructed to do).  Shonna went over to it and opened it.  It wouldn't open.  The door hit their pantry door.  She said to them, "This door doesn't open."  "Read the manual!" was their heavily accented reply.  "But the door won't open." "Read the manual!"  The only English words they knew, I guess.  Then they left.

Shonna called the store and finally got someone who would listen to her in customer service.  She told the lady that story, who admitted it was ridiculous.  They had to wait until the next available delivery opening for the guys to come back and get that fridge.  They ordered a new one.  She finally texted this picture with the caption, "Three weeks later, we got our new fridge."  "But does it open?" was my reply!

Lily sent this picture in reply.

Just read the manual, people!